Throughout the STI week in New York, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank engaged with different key partners, including Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system entities, LDC representatives in New York and development partners.
Key meetings included His Excellency Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Secretary-General, to strengthen partnership in leveraging technology to deliver the SDGs. The meeting with USG Rabab Fatima, who also serves as the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Secretary-General¡¯s representative in the Council of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank, was significant in sharing a vision and perspectives for the next phase of growth and development of the organization, with unanimous acknowledgment of innovation's pivotal role in accelerating progress as the deadline for the 2030 Agenda draws closer.
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank Managing Director, Mr. Deodat Maharaj, also convened with representatives from numerous Member States, including Austria, Belgium, Cabo Verde, China, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Lao PDR, Malawi, Nepal, Qatar, Turkiye, the European Union, and the African Union. These discussions reinforced a collective commitment to supporting LDCs and advancing the mission of the Technology Bank. There was a strong consensus on the need for intensified knowledge sharing, enhanced technology access, and collaborative innovation to achieve sustainable development and peace.
Engagements with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-DESA¡¯s USG Li, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCDF¡¯s Executive Secretary, and the Director of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Office for South-South Cooperation, among others, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts. These discussions focused on achieving tangible outcomes in LDCs through enhanced cooperation and innovation.
MD Deodat Maharaj meets USG Rabab Fatima
These recent engagements in New York provided a vital platform for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank to understand the priorities of member states and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as well as to discuss the new Strategic Plan. The discussions were pivotal in shaping the future direction of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Tech Bank, focusing on three main areas: agritech, digitalization, and green transition. These areas were identified based on Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and are aimed at creating employment, supporting growth, and generating business opportunities for youth.
By leveraging expertise from both the Global North and South, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Tech Bank aspires to become a pivotal knowledge hub. The emphasis is on using simple, high-impact technologies to drive significant improvements in LDCs.
Our participation in the STI Forum 2024 and the series of engagements in New York reaffirmed the importance of a shared agenda to harness the power of science, technology, and innovation. These efforts are essential for driving positive change and creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank's initiatives and engagements as we continue to shape a better world through technology and innovation.